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Friday, September 28, 2012

Don't Lose Everything - Secure your Smartphone

By Tanja Martina Norla


Our lives have become so amazingly convenient these days and the smartphone is one of the devices that is leading the charge. Sharing everything, including what was once unthinkable in terms of privacy, seems to be one of the results of smartphones becoming the center of our worlds. We feel lost and even desperate if we are without our beloved smartphones for a day or more. It seems we could survive longer without our car than our smartphone these days. We have become so dependent on them. Not only for our financial or work activities, but for our personal or social lives.

An inherent risk comes with this convenience and availability of our personal information in one device. And since smartphones and smartphone plans are often shared among family members, it is important not only for parents to be informed about the risks of a smartphone. The dangers of smartphones run too deep not to inform all family members. A plan or security protocol that the family follows is a good practice also.

Learn About Mobile Security for your Own Protection

When looking broadly at smartphone security, there are three areas everyone should be aware of.

First, there are always holes or vulnerabilities in any smartphone operating system. No operating system is perfect. Malware is designed to expose those weaknesses and leverage them. If your smartphone is exposed to malware that is effective, it can basically prevent your smartphone from functioning properly or at all. Imagine the implications if it took over your phone. Or worse, it could steal all your important data.

Losing your smartphone is always a possibility. They are small, sometimes slippery, and can drop out of pockets or fall out of purses without any notice. Can you access the smartphone remotely? And wipe options are absolutely essential if you want to ensure that your smartphone does not fall into the hands of the wrong person.

And just like everything else you own, thieves can physically steal your smartphone. If you leave it unsupervised for a moment, say, while you place your child in a booster chair at a diner, for example, that might just happen.

Take These Steps and Reduce your Risk

A surprising number of people do not take the basic action of protecting their smartphone with a password. Passwords are the keys to your smartphone. Passwords or PINs have to be installed and set up properly on your smartphone.

Be aware that apps are sometimes created for the purpose of accessing your smartphone. If an app is not properly designed or designed without security in mind, malware can attach itself to an app. Don't download apps from unknown providers. And if you really want an app regardless, research the reviews online prior to installation. And as a rule, do not install apps that require permissions to use their personal details, contact list or Facebook account information.

Is there Insurance Available for your Smartphone?

And if your smartphone is lost or stolen, what are you to do? Take a look at your home insurance policy to see if there is a limit on mobile phones or other electronic devices. Check your home insurance deductible and see if there is a limit on coverage for mobile phones and mobile electronic devices. You should also consider adding identity theft insurance. You want to ensure you are adequately protected if sensitive data is stolen.




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